Julius Paulsen, Portrait of a Young Woman Reading - Antique Oil Painting

This early 20th-century portrait of a woman reading by Julius Paulsen combines a quiet moment of focus with an abundance of textured colour.

Here we see a young lady reading by a window - looking down with the book held a little forward to catch the light. Her skin tones are awash with various marks - intelligent daubs that are characteristically Paulsen’s. She's painted with a controlled sense of spirit yet the overall atmosphere is calm.

Julius Paulsen was a highly respected Danish artist who blended a wide range of influences to create skilfully poised, almost timeless, masterpieces.

He was born in Odense, the son of a shopkeeper, and attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen - where he later became a professor. From early on, his significant skill was noted by his contemporaries, particularly with regards to his portraiture. He had an inordinate ability to capture a subject’s spirit with accuracy and expression.

His success was, in part, due to his ability to splice together approaches that were separated by centuries. He was inspired by the old masters, particularly Rembrandt, yet also by the emerging avant-garde.

During his time at the Academy, Paulsen studied a range of classically-inspired techniques - from the Renaissance and Baroque through to exquisite contemporary French salon painting. He must’ve found this particularly interesting as he was also associating with the Skagen School of painters, such as P.S. Kroyer (1851-1909), who were closely aligned with the French impressionists.

Imagine having the best of both worlds - to study the precision, symbolism, and drama of the old masters yet also paint alongside those seeking to challenge the status quo. Paulsen was blessed and he took it all in his stride. He brought the old and new together to create something altogether his own.

By the early 20th-century, his brushwork had evolved to become expressive, textured and gestural. His figures were particularly impressive and, at times, stylistically reminiscent of Rembrandt’s ‘A Woman Bathing In A Stream’. His admiration for the Dutch luminary was clear yet he introduced his own beautiful (modern) treatment of light.

In our opinion, Julius Paulsen remains one of the most underrated Danish painters of his generation. His respectful approach to the past brings sophistication to his desire to express a subject’s spirit.

Many works by Paulsen are held in Danish museums and his portrait of P.S. Kroyer currently hangs in Frederiksborg Palace.

The portrait is signed/dated in the upper right. It was probably framed in 1960 when it was exhibited at the Aarhus Art Gallery alongside other Paulsen works. The reverse also features an exhibition label from 1928 when the painting was shown at Charlottenborg.

Medium: Oil on canvas

Overall size: 24” x 29” / 61cm x 74cm

Year of creation: c. 1928

Provenance: Denmark

Condition: Overall very presentable. Frame with some light age-related wear.

Artist’s auction highlight: £10,115 achieved for ‘Bal Tabarin’ at an auction in 2007.